The “Grandfather of Heritage Cuisine”, Damian D’Silva, has just become the first Singaporean chef to receive the prestigious La Liste Artisan & Authenticity Award 2024.
The La Liste Artisan & Authenticity Award is the French ranking and restaurant guide’s special distinction that recognises the efforts of establishments – and the chefs behind them – in bringing up the culinary heritage of their region or country.
It is a fitting award for chef D’Silva, who after cutting his teeth in European restaurants in the late ’90s spent the better part of the last two decades opening restaurants in Singapore with menus centred around bona fide local grub.
These include the now-closed Soul Kitchen, Folklore and Kin, along with his current culinary playground, Rempapa at Park Place Residences in Paya Lebar.
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"I am not only honoured, but deeply touched in having been chosen to receive The La Liste Artisan and Authenticity Award. It's a step closer in achieving my dream, but more importantly, an endorsement for Singapore's heritage."
Sean Sherman, an advocate for Native American cuisine, and Seong-il Kim, who champions Korean food, are other distinguished recipients of the award, which was first fronted in 2021.
La Liste also announced the eighth edition of its Top 1000 World’s Best Restaurants list since its inception in 2015.
A total of 12 restaurants in Singapore made the cut, including contemporary French restaurant Odette at the No.3 position.
Scandi-Japanese restaurant Zen ranked No.4, shared with French fine-diner Les Amis, while modern barbecue joint Burnt Ends was entered onto the list for the first time.
